Our solicitor can verify, certify, apostille & legalise
All UK recognised degree-awarding universities or colleges
471
recognised UK
institutions
About the Author
KH is a practising solicitor based in London, admitted in England & Wales and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. He is registered with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. KH has worked as legal counsel and in-house solicitor across leading firms and corporations. He personally oversees every case at Ginkgo Advisory, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and end-to-end quality control.
KH Lam, LLB, LLM
Legal Consultant of Ginkgo Advisory
Ginkgo Advisory provides Queen Margaret University College degree verification and apostille services for graduates using their qualifications overseas.
Our service can include:
- HEDD degree verification;
- enhanced solicitor certification;
- authenticity confirmation;
- FCDO apostille;
- a 2-working-day express apostille option; and
- embassy legalisation where required.
Queen Margaret University College, commonly called QMUC, issued recognised awards between 1999 and 2007. The institution gained full university title in 2007 and now operates as Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.
Who verifies the qualification?
Queen Margaret University verifies former QMUC qualifications through HEDD.
HEDD can check:
- current or former student status;
- the qualification awarded;
- the grade or classification; and
- attendance dates.
The current HEDD enquiry fee is £14.
University contact: registry@qmu.ac.uk
Candidate consent
The consent form must authorise both:
- HEDD; and
- the company submitting the enquiry.
Therefore, the form should clearly name Ginkgo Advisory and HEDD.
The candidate must sign the consent form. The enquirer can upload it as a PDF, JPG, PNG or TIF file.
Information required
We normally request:
- the front and back of the certificate;
- any available transcript;
- the graduate’s passport;
- the full name used during study;
- date of birth;
- student number, if known;
- course and qualification titles;
- award year and classification;
- attendance dates;
- signed candidate consent; and
- the intended country of use.
Accurate details help QMU locate the correct record.
Official QMU documents
Former QMUC students can request documents directly from Queen Margaret University.
Current options include:
- Confirmation of Award Letter: £15;
- duplicate academic transcript: £20;
- certified copy of a degree certificate: £10;
- replacement degree certificate: £25; and
- course document: £50.
A Confirmation of Award Letter is available for QMUC awards. Academic transcripts are available from 1990 onwards. However, transcripts issued for pre-1997 study do not show credit values.
Former students who studied before 2000 should contact the Document Request Team before paying.
Contact: DocumentRequest@qmu.ac.uk
Document requests may take up to four weeks.
Enhanced solicitor certification
A basic certified true copy confirms that the copy matches the original document shown to the solicitor.
Enhanced solicitor certification can also use independent academic evidence.
Depending on the case, our solicitor may:
- obtain HEDD verification;
- review the original certificate;
- compare a QMU transcript or award letter;
- check the graduate’s identity;
- confirm the institutional name change; and
- certify the document using wording supported by the evidence.
We only confirm authenticity where reliable verification supports that conclusion.
FCDO apostille
After verification and solicitor certification, the document can normally proceed to the FCDO for an apostille.
The usual route is:
HEDD verification → solicitor certification → FCDO apostille
The Legalisation Office checks whether the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal matches its official records. It does not independently verify the academic award.
Ginkgo Advisory offers a 2-working-day express FCDO apostille option for eligible documents.
However, this period covers the FCDO stage only. It does not include:
- HEDD processing;
- university document production;
- solicitor enquiries;
- embassy legalisation; or
- delivery.
Paper apostilles and e-Apostilles are available. The receiving authority must accept the chosen format.
Embassy legalisation
Some destinations require embassy or consular legalisation after the FCDO stage.
The process may involve:
- FCDO legalisation;
- legalisation by the destination country’s embassy in London; and
- approval by the destination country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Therefore, we check the receiving authority’s requirements before preparing the documents.
Our process
- Review the certificate and award details.
- Obtain consent authorising HEDD and Ginkgo Advisory.
- Submit the HEDD verification request.
- Obtain additional QMU documents where useful.
- Complete enhanced solicitor certification where supported.
- Arrange the FCDO apostille.
- Complete embassy legalisation where required.
- Return the completed documents.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Queen Margaret University College degree still valid?
Yes. Gaining full university title did not invalidate qualifications issued under the QMUC name.
What did Queen Margaret University College become?
It gained full university title in 2007 and became Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.
Who verifies a QMUC degree?
Queen Margaret University verifies the qualification through HEDD.
How much does HEDD verification cost?
The current fee is £14.
Who must the consent form authorise?
It must authorise both HEDD and the organisation submitting the request.
Can I obtain a transcript?
Yes. Duplicate academic transcripts currently cost £20.
Can I obtain a replacement certificate?
Yes, subject to QMU’s requirements. The current fee is £25.
Does an apostille verify the degree?
No. It authenticates the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal.
Can Ginkgo Advisory arrange a 2-working-day apostille?
Yes, once verification and solicitor certification are complete and the document is ready for FCDO submission.
Contact Us
Address
Suite 161, 30 Red Lion Street, London, TW9 1RB, England